Stalder Family Creamery, a family-run ice cream shop in New Martinsville, got its start after an unexpected meeting.
WHEN THE SON OF LONGTIME DAIRY FARMERS Sherrie and Dave Stalder told them he’d like to take over the family business, they knew they would need another way to make money.
“Farming right now isn’t really good enough to sustain two families, so we thought about starting to make cheese,” Sherrie Stalder says with a laugh. “But I don’t like cheese at all, so I knew having to make it for the rest of my life would be miserable.”
Ice cream, however, was another story. Her family had always made ice cream, and there wasn’t anyone else around who was making it, so they decided to dip their toes into that business. They bought an Italian ice cream maker and started playing around with different flavors, and her husband finally suggested they find a place to open an ice cream shop. “So I drove into New Martinsville one day back in 2019 and was walking down Main Street when I saw a man holding a set of keys,” she recalls. “I told him I was looking for a place to rent, and he said, ‘Well, I just bought this building, and I’m looking for a tenant!’”
As fate would have it, they made a deal, built out the space, and opened Stalder Family Creamery on Main Street just a few months later.
“Our Butter Pecan has been one of our top flavors—and was the third flavor I ever made—and the Black Raspberry and Peanut Butter are very popular,” Stalder says. “I’m not a chocolate person, so I’ll either order the Strawberry or Grandma’s Banana Pudding, which really does taste exactly like Grandma’s dessert. And there’s Pumpkin Pie in fall. We worked really hard on that recipe.”
Although the Stalders’ farm is located right across the river in Ohio, New Martinsville was their first choice when it came time to look for a place to open their shop.
“New Martinsville has been very kind to my family, so we’re trying to create a place the people here can enjoy with theirs,” Stalder says. “We have a bunch of games here, so we love seeing families come gather around the table playing games and eating ice cream.”
And their business has grown as a result.
“We’re now selling ice cream wholesale, we have a trailer for events, and we were able to buy the building we’re in, so we added party rooms upstairs, too. It’s a special place.”
305 North Main Street, New Martinsville, stalderfamilycreamery.com, @stalderfamilycreamery on FB
THE CHERRY ON TOP
There are three flavors you have to try this summer—if they don’t sell out first! Cold, creamy, and udder-ly delicious, these popular Stalder creations are perfect for beating the heat.
Butter Pecan
The vanilla base you love made even better with the warmth of nutty pecans and rich butter, incorporating a salty bite to complement the sweetness.
Black Raspberry
Tart berries find their way into the mix for a fresh, fruity combination that screams “summer!” Combine it with a scoop of something chocolatey for a truly decadent treat.
Udder Butter Peanut Butter
Indulge in the peanutty goodness of a childhood favorite combined with the Stalder ice cream you’re craving. A little sweet, a little salty, a lot tasty.
Something Savory
According to Sherrie Stalder, the creamery’s all-beef hot dogs, served in perfectly toasted buns and loaded with toppings, are a favorite around town. Be sure to grab one on your next visit—the cool summer treat afterward will taste all the sweeter for it.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SUMMER 2026 ISSUE
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